Sometimes you have to connect the dots.
This time it’s about what capital spending is being voted on in Illinois and what it is rewarding.
A USA Today story highlighted Chicago State University’s 16% graduation rate after six years.
Only 4% after four years, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Not exactly a model to be emulated.
But reward Chicago State the General Assembly did.
It got $40 million in the new capital bill to build a new campus on the West Side of Chicago.
Some might think that a university that manages to graduate only 16% of its students in six years might not be one deserving of cloning.
Why not clone Northeastern Illinois University? It’s 19% graduation rate was slightly better.
How about much more successful Northern Illinois University, It came in at a 52% graduation rate after six years.
You have to wonder how prepared the students are who are being accepted to these schools.
Chicago State’s and Northeastern’s numbers really raise serious questions.
For reference, Northwestern’s graduation rate is 93%, while University of Chicago is 90%.
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign has a 82% graduation rate after six years.
Your federal fiscal stimulus money has $1.1 million dollars going to Chicago State. It is part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.
Is this anyone’s idea of “building upon success?”
Or is it “throwing good money after bad?”
In 2007 then Chicago State University President Elnora Daniel had to reimburse the university more than $8,600. But only after a state audit criticized spending practices at the university.
President Elnora Daniel explained at a press conference how she mistakenly used the university-issued card instead of her personal card. The explanation was she forgot to change purses or was in a rush at a store.
Daniel’s salary was $241,000 and the Chicago Tribune reported,
“In August 2006, Daniel and her family spent nine days on a Caribbean cruise, as Daniel attended a leadership conference, at a cost of more than $15,000.”
The trustees allowed a provision in her contract for this cruise to be legally paid for by the taxpayers of Illinois.
The trustees just hired Wayne Watson, the retiring head of Chicago’s junior college system, to be Chicago State’s new president a $229,166.
When you hear Democrats say,
at least you have some idea of what that means in Illinois.
You have to wonder how prepared the students are who are being accepted to these schools.
You mean "financially" prepared, right? Because I'll bet the graduation rate more related to money than academics.
People don't finish college for a lot of reasons: the need to go-out and get a job is certainly a BIG reason.
Also, don't forget that schools like Northwestern are filled with well-heeled students from families prepared to shoulder a significant financial burden for years. Inner-city schools are filled with local students.